Autonomous UAV Tracking and Surveillance System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current unmanned air vehicle (UAV) surveillance systems rely heavily on human operators, leading to high costs, errors in target tracking, and increased risks of UAV loss or entering no-fly zones due to labor-intensive control requirements and human error.
Innovation Solution
An autonomous tracking and surveillance system that automates UAV navigation and camera control, using a Stalker system with software and hardware components to generate steering commands for maintaining target tracking while reducing the likelihood of detection and optimizing camera positioning for high-quality imaging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If human operators remotely control UAVs to maintain tracking of moving targets, then target tracking capability is maintained, but the system becomes labor intensive and expensive requiring multiple operators
Solution Approach 1:
The UAV system performs self-tracking of targets by autonomously controlling its own navigation and camera positioning. The onboard computer vision system automatically identifies and tracks targets without requiring external human operators to manually control the vehicle and camera, making the system self-sufficient in maintaining tracking capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical control system operated by humans with an automated computer vision and control system. The system uses image processing algorithms to detect targets and automatically generates control commands for the UAV and camera, substituting human mechanical operations with automated computational control
2Measurement precision
If human operators control UAV flight and camera positioning separately, then tracking precision is maintained, but the system requires two operators increasing cost and complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the flight control and camera control functions into a single integrated system. The automated control system simultaneously manages both the UAV navigation and camera positioning based on target detection, merging two separate operator roles into one unified automated function that maintains tracking precision
Solution Approach 2:
The onboard computer vision system performs multiple functions: it detects targets, determines their positions, controls camera pointing and focusing, and guides UAV navigation. This multi-functional system replaces the need for specialized operators for each function, achieving both flight and camera control through a single automated system
3Adaptability or versatility
If human operators manually monitor and control UAV surveillance, then flexibility in handling various situations is maintained, but the system is prone to human error and loss of positive identification
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously receives feedback from the camera and computer vision system about target position and identification status. This real-time feedback enables the automated control system to make continuous adjustments to maintain optimal tracking, ensuring uninterrupted positive identification without relying on human operator attention and reducing errors
4Area of stationary object
If human operators control multiple UAVs for high value targets, then surveillance coverage is improved, but the number of operators and costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
Each UAV in the multi-vehicle system operates autonomously, self-managing its navigation and camera control for target tracking. This self-service capability allows multiple UAVs to be deployed without proportionally increasing operator numbers, as each vehicle independently maintains surveillance functions
Solution Approach 2:
The surveillance mission is segmented across multiple independent UAVs, each capable of autonomous operation. This segmentation allows the system to expand surveillance coverage by adding more vehicles without requiring additional operators for each one, as each segmented unit operates independently with its own automated control system
Data Source
AI summary
A system and methods for autonomously tracking and simultaneously providing surveillance of a target from air vehicles. In one embodiment the system receives inputs from outside sources, creates tracks, identifies the targets and generates flight plans for unmanned air vehicles (UAVs) and camera controls for surveillance of the targets. The system uses predictive algorithms and aircraft control laws. The system comprises a plurality of modules configured to accomplish these tasks. One embodiment comprises an automatic target recognition (ATR) module configured to receive video information, process the video information, and produce ATR information including target information. The embodiment further comprises a multisensor integrator (MSI) module configured to receive the ATR information, an air vehicle state input and a target state input, process the inputs and produce track information for the target. The embodiment further comprises a target module configured to receive the track information, process the track information, and produce predicted future state target information. The embodiment further comprises an ownship module configured to receive the track information, process the track information, and produce predicted future state air vehicle information. The embodiment further comprises a planner module configured to receive the predicted future state target information and the predicted future state air vehicle information and generate travel path information including flight and camera steering commands for the air vehicle.